xvii, 312 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : 24 cm
"No Asian American female star before or after her has ever equaled Anna May Wong's prolific career in radio, stage, television, and film." "Born in 1905 under the Chinese name Wong Liu Tsong (Frosted Yellow Willow), Anna May Wong grew up in Los Angeles during a time of social and political ferment. Before she reached the age of eighteen, she was starring in the first Technicolor feature, The Toll of the Sea (1922). In time her films would lead to international fame in Berlin, London, and Paris. From her family roots in China to her acclaimed portrayals on stage and in film, author Anthony B. Chan recounts key events in the life and career of America's most famous film actress of Chinese heritage." "This first full-length biography of Anna May Wong is a fascinating portrait of a remarkable Asian American woman whose life and career would influence film, fashion, and culture. This multifaceted work also examines the scope and nature of face, gender, and power and their impact on Wong's personal growth as a Chinese American."--Jacket